Meeting Planners

Meeting Accommodations

Stratford Hall offers a variety of meeting spaces to accommodate both large and small groups. Conferences needing larger spaces can choose from the Council House, Preservation Gallery and duPont Library. Dinner or luncheon meetings can ideally be held in the Stratford Hall Dining Room. Smaller retreats and meetings can choose from the more intimate settings of the Astor and Cheek Guest Houses and Stratford Hall’s Lodging and Conference Center (formerly the Executive Director’s residence).

Council House

The brick Council House was constructed in 1950 to be used by Stratford Hall’s Board of Directors for its semi-annual meetings. The main meeting chamber has paneled walls below tall arched windows, giving the well-proportioned room a very stately appearance.

The largest of Stratford Hall’s meeting spaces, the Council House meeting chamber can accommodate approximately 200 persons auditorium-style with center aisle. For smaller numbers, tables and chairs can be set up in various arrangements.

Jessie Ball duPont Memorial Library

The duPont Library was constructed in 1980 as Stratford Hall’s research and educational facility. Its main meeting space is the duPont Reading Room, which is lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and features views of a wooded ravine from its large bay window and terrace doors.

Smaller than the Council House meeting chamber, the duPont Room can accommodate around 90 persons seated auditorium-style with a center aisle. Tables and chairs can be set up for meetings of smaller groups of around 30 persons. The duPont Room also offers a wireless Internet connection.

Preservation Gallery

The Preservation Gallery is a fairly recently renovated exhibit/meeting space in the Visitor Center. Architectural elements, such as mantels and wainscoting removed from the Great House in the 1930s, are exhibited on the gallery walls, making it an interesting space. Smaller than the Council House chamber, but slightly larger than the duPont Library meeting space, the Preservation Gallery features proximity to parking and a larger number of restroom facilities. An electronic drop-down projection screen makes setting up for presentations easier.

Stratford Hall Dining Room

The Dining Room is a perfect spot for informal group meetings, especially convenient when refreshments are planned. Larger group luncheons or dinners can be tailored to your specifications. A traditional dining area and separate enclosed porch are available for reservation.

Astor Guest House

The Astor Guest House is conveniently located directly across from the Stratford Hall Dining Room. The rustic, log-sided guest house was built in 1937 for staff housing and was later enlarged and modernized for use as a guest house. It has five guest rooms with baths plus a large living room/dining area and kitchen. Small groups find the Astor Guest House perfect for retreats and informal meetings.

Cheek Guest House

The Cheek Guest House was built in 1980 and enlarged in 1986 to accommodate a total of 15 guest rooms with baths. The Cheek living room, with an adjoining deck convenient for warm-weather use, is a well-appointed meeting space for small groups. Perfectly sized for retreats, the Cheek living room offers views of the surrounding woods.

Events & Programs

Join us on Saturday, September 30, 2017, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., for an interesting look at how and why plants are communicating with each other; cost: $12 adult, $7 child, group of 3 or more $7 each; pre-registration encouraged.

Join us on Saturday, October 7, from 10 a.m. to noon, for a container garden workshop with Dee King. Bring your favorite container! Cost is $45 per person and includes all materials (except large container of your choice). Pre-register by September 29.